A new COVID-19 vaccine from Verndari Inc. has entered preclinical testing at the University of California, Davis.
Called the VaxiPatch, the single-dose vaccine uses a dermal patch with a metal microneedle array to deliver vaccines, according to a press release on the project.
Some unique aspects of the VaxiPatch include that it doesn't need to be refrigerated, it can be manufactured in an automated way for high volume and it could even potentially be self-administered on a person's arm.
"We are comparing administration of the VaxiPatch to an injectable vaccine in rodents and monitoring them closing [sic] for any adverse reactions as well as collecting blood samples to evaluate immune responses," said Kristin Grimsrud, veterinarian and lead scientist at the Mouse Biology Program, in a press release from UC Davis.
Phase 1 human clinical trials could start if the preclinical testing meets safety and efficacy goals.